Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-02-17
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, D. c. Feb, !, 1887,

WASHINGTON, d. G. Feb. I, 1887.
Congress- Is working away these days
as though IL realized the shortness of
its life and the necessity of accomplish
ing much before the fourth of March.
Various questions have been discussed
i'm both the Senate and House during
the past week, some important meas
ures have been passed, and others have
become laws by receiving the Presi-
dents signature.
The Beck bill as passed, makes it un-
lawful for any Senator or representa-
tive to accept employment as attorney
at law or payment for services of any
kind in opposition to the United States,
in any case in which its interests may
be concerned. Any member of either
House of Congress who violates the
provisions of this act may be punished
by imprisonment not exceeding one
year, or by fine not exceeding $500, or
by both. ,........
MIR. Evarts went so far as to say that
those Lawyers in the Senate who would
vote for such q bill would make the
imputation against their profession
that lawyers were a class to be taken
out from the rest of community, for
fear they might be drawn over the line
of their duty. The right of citizens
was to be invaded because honest en-
ployment might lead to criminality.
The willy Senator wanted to know il
the apothecarys shop should be sup
pressed because poison was dealt out
from it, and thought, in order to be
consistent, they should make law for
biding members of Congress from TAX
ing any fee. AS to the talk about 'ser-
wing two masters" he asked whether
Senators were doing that when, as law
yers, they served the dignity and ad-
vantage of the law and the protection
of the community, and when, as Sena-
tors, they did their duty under their
obligations.
All of Mr.. Evart's logic was lost upon
the Senate however, and refused by a
vote of nearly three to one. .....-
The Presidents approval of the In
ter-State Commerce was in full accord
with the opinion of Attorney General
Garland, and with the views of the en-
tire Cabinet. The next question is
who will get to serve their country as
commissioners under the new law and
against railroad corporations. Among
two or three scores of candidates, Col
Morrison is oftenest mentioned as one
of the number which will be appointed.
He is quoted as saying lately that it is
| the only position under the Govern
ment which he desires.
Representative Reagan, who will
come to the United States Senate
next year as the successor of Mr.. MaXy
of Texas, has long been identified with
the Interstate Commerce bill. He
has contended for this Legislation for
many years, and his election may be
accepted as an endorsement of his
course. Judge Reagan, as the Senator
elect is called, is man of indefatigable
industry, an assidous representative of
sure to make good record in the Sen
ate. He is well known in Washing
ton, having served four years in Con-
gress before the war, and nearly twelve
years since the war. During the war
he was Postmaster-General of the
Southern Confederacy.
The question of temperance has beer
creditably solved for herself by the
mistress of the White House. When
the Diplomatic Corps sat down to the
Presidents dinner of state few even
ings ago, eight wine-glasses stood a
every plate but that of Mrs. Cleveland
she took only water. This was not {
criticism of the taste of her guests, but
only an assertion of her own prefer.
ence. 1t defined her personal status
and it discharged her official duty.
1t was fine reply that Elk. Lieut.
Gov. Brockmeier, of Missouri, made
when asked why he did not call OF
Presidsnt Cleveland. Said he, II dom
think there is a buster man in the
country than the President, and as he
has little enough time of his own,
don't think l have right to infringe
on it. I have no personal acquaintance
with him, and of course he can have
no desire to see me. My Congressman
proposed to take me to call on him
but I didn't care to take up half al
hour of his time in the day that woult
have to be atoned for at night" I
more of the prominent men who visi
Washington, so fully realized the value
of the Presidents time, it would bt
gratefully appreciated by him. a..